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Reef corals bleach to survive change

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  • Andrew C. Baker

    (Wildlife Conservation Society, Osborn Laboratories of Marine Science, New York Aquarium)

Abstract

The bleaching of coral reefs, in which symbiotic algae are lost from reef-building invertebrates, is usually considered to be a drastic and damaging response to adverse environmental conditions1,2. Here I report results from transplant experiments involving different combinations of coral host and algal symbiont that support an alternative view, in which bleaching offers a high-risk ecological opportunity for reef corals to rid themselves rapidly of suboptimal algae and to acquire new partners. This strategy could be an advantage to coral reefs that face increasingly frequent and severe episodes of mass bleaching as a result of projected climate change2,3.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew C. Baker, 2001. "Reef corals bleach to survive change," Nature, Nature, vol. 411(6839), pages 765-766, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:411:y:2001:i:6839:d:10.1038_35081151
    DOI: 10.1038/35081151
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    Cited by:

    1. Jos C Mieog & Jeanine L Olsen & Ray Berkelmans & Silvia A Bleuler-Martinez & Bette L Willis & Madeleine J H van Oppen, 2009. "The Roles and Interactions of Symbiont, Host and Environment in Defining Coral Fitness," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 4(7), pages 1-12, July.
    2. K. M. Quigley & M. J. H. Oppen, 2022. "Predictive models for the selection of thermally tolerant corals based on offspring survival," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-13, December.
    3. Jones, Peter JS Dr, 2002. "Marine protected area strategies: issues, divergences and the search for middle ground," MarXiv 6x3n9, Center for Open Science.

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